Shooting Federation Expected to Backtrack on New Rules: - They Were Probably Just Desperate

A controversial change has stirred emotions in the biathlon community, but Sturla Holm Lægreid does not believe it will take long before the IBU makes adjustments. Previously, the highest-ranked athletes were allowed to choose their own starting groups in both sprint and normal distance events, which often led to races being decided before all competitors had even started.

Now, IBU wishes to maintain excitement for longer. They have decided that the top 15 ranked athletes in the overall standings will have starting numbers between 46 and 75.

"One always thinks 'worst case scenario'. Most likely, it will go just fine," says Sturla Holm Lægreid. He believes this new system could be fairer for the elite athletes, yet acknowledges that certain conditions might still favor those who start earlier.

Despite general dissatisfaction among biathletes regarding the rules change, Lægreid emphasizes that he feels confident adjustments will be made, viewing the initial decision as one made out of desperation regarding broadcast commitments and the desire to portray a modern image.

He also reflects on the strength and depth of the Norwegian team, highlighting that while they dominated last season, the new rules could lead to increased competition when it comes to maintaining top positions in international events. The IBU will evaluate the new seeding system after the first four weeks of the season, indicating that further modifications may occur based on this assessment.